Green Space above St Paul’s Catacombs Now Open in the Evening

The green space above St Paul’s Catacombs in Rabat is now being kept open for public enjoyment after the catacombs’ normal closing time. Every day until the end of March 2024, Rabat residents and visitors are able to access this area free of charge between 6pm and 8pm.

The area covers more than 4,500m² and is quiet and well-lit. It comprises amenities such as toilets, seating, and the services of a security guard. Visitors are not restricted to the formalised pathways but may roam on specific grass areas within the grounds.  

Serving as a burial ground from Punic, Roman and Byzantine times, St Paul’s Catacombs represent the earliest and largest archaeological evidence of Christianity in Malta. The catacombs form a typical complex of interconnected underground Roman cemeteries that were in use up to the 7th, and possibly the 8th, century AD. They are located in the Ħal Bajjada area, also known as Tad-Dlam. The area has more than 30 hypogea, of which the main complex, situated within the St Paul’s cluster, comprises a system of interconnected passages and tombs that cover an area over 2000 m².

The green space above the catacombs enhances a visit to the site and makes for a more fulfilling and complete experience during the hypogea’s opening hours. Commenting on the opening of the green space after the catacombs’ closing time, Kenneth Gambin, Heritage Malta’s Chief Operations Officer, described the area as an ideal place of respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Much like the community garden above the Abbatija tad-Dejr Catacombs, also in Rabat, the green space above St Paul’s Catacombs provides an opportunity for people to feel at one with our national cultural heritage.

Alexander Craus, Mayor of Rabat, said that the Rabat Local Council is pleased that the area above St Paul’s Catacombs is now accessible to the public in the evening, as it will serve as an open space in the centre of the locality, in an otherwise urban neighbourhood. This is a space where one can relax and enjoy the historical and environmental aspect of our country.